Posted on June 24th, 2009 by mzzmorrizz
I am always on the lookout for fun websites that can be used to teach what we need to learn in language arts class. I have a few of my favorites listed on this post, but I am also interested in sites that you have used in the past or have found over the summer. Please share these with me, and, hopefully, we’ll be able to use them in class.
- BrainPop - You probably used this in elementary school, but Tim and Moby never lose their appeal. Even if you don’t have a password, there are still several videos that you can watch.
- Fun Brain - This website has many games that deal with most academic areas.
- Fit Brains - Although, some of the games you need a password to use, there are many that do not. Enjoy!
- Learning Games for Kids - Although some of these games are for elementary students, you can find many that are appropriate for middle schoolers.
- IKnowThat - This website has games for all academic areas. It will ask you to sign up or login, but you just have to press the “Maybe Later” button to continue.
- Games for a Change - This site has a list of games that focuses on current issues. Most of these deal more with social studies, but I think that they hold some value.
- Eduweb - This site has unique, thought provoking, interactive games for several academic areas.
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Posted on June 24th, 2009 by mzzmorrizz
One of my favorite parts of summer is that I have more time to catch up on my reading for fun. This summer, especially, I have tried to read more books that would appeal to my students. I have a few that I have particullary enjoyed.
1. The Thief (by Megan Whalen Turner) is the first of a series about a young man named Gen who is a thief trapped in a dungeon. He is offered a way to be free, but he has to go on a dangerous quest to steal a sacred treasure. This has many surprises that keeps the reader guessing up to the end of the book. The next two books in the series (The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia) are just as good with plot twists and turns, and there should be a fourth coming out in 2010.
2. The Candy Shop War (by Brandon Mull) is a book that mixes fantasy and action together perfectly. Four friends have discovered a candy shop whose owner gives them magical treats for doing odd jobs for her. When the jobs become more dangerous and suspicious, the friends have to decide what to do. This book is lots of fun that both boys and girls will enjoy.
3. Alabama Moon (by Wyatt Key) reminds me of a cross between Hatchet and Touching Spirit Bear. At the age of ten, Moon just buried his father next to the grave of his mother in a national forest in Alabama. He has lived there most of his life in an underground shelter with his father trying to avoid the government. He has never gone to school or lived in a normal house. All he knows is this forest. After his father died, Moon does his best to run to Alaska, but not everything turns out as he plans. This is a survival novel at its best.
Hopefully, you have had a chance to read a few good books this summer. If you have, please write a response to this post telling me about the books that you enjoyed (or that you didn’t).
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Posted on June 24th, 2009 by mzzmorrizz
Upcoming sixth graders, I hope that you are enjoying your summer. I look forward to meeting all of you at the beginning of August. Hopefully, you are reading some good books this summer.
If you are having a hard time finding good books on your level, here are some websites that might assist you:
Scholastic Book Wizard
http://bookwizard.scholastic.com/tbw/homePage.do
This site offers several different ways for students to search for books. Although, it is geared towards teachers, it is easy enough for a student to use.
- Bookalike - Type in the title of a favorite book, and the website provides a list of similar books.
- Quick Search - Type in a title, author, or subject and a list is created for you. The list can then be sorted by interest level, reading level, subject, and genre.
- Leveled Search - Select a grade level, reading level (or Lexile) range, book type, subject, and then genre. The website then creates a list of appropriate books.
Find a Book with Lexiles
http://www.lexile.com/findabook/StudentInfo.aspx
This site also offers an in depth book search, but it uses students’ Lexile scores. The Lexile system measures readers and books on the same scale. It measures the numbers of words per sentence and the difficulty of vocabulary. Students are at the correct level when they can understand 75% of what they read keep students stimulated but not frustrated.
Student’s Lexile scores are located on his or her CRCT results. To find the Lexile range, add 50 to the Lexile score to find the highest range. Then subtract 100 below the score for the lowest range. This represents the easiest to the hardest level of appropriate reading material.
While searching for an appropriate book, students can enter a score or range and one or more subject areas. The website will create of list of books that displays the title, author and the number of pages in each book. Students can click on the title of the book to find more detailed information. The book can also be added to a “book bag” which stores the selected books into a list that can be printed.
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